Online sex crimes come in various forms, and their prevalence is on the rise. In response, law enforcement agencies have adapted their methods to investigate individuals suspected of engaging in illegal online sexual activity, underscoring the seriousness of these crimes.

So, online solicitation is a serious crime. It's a crime of moral turpitude. It involves some solicitation, typically online, on a computer, phone, tablet, or other device. You're either talking to an undercover police officer or somebody and somehow they pick up your information. If convicted, the consequences can be severe, including a criminal record, potential imprisonment, and the requirement to register as a sex offender. 

I've seen prostitutes get arrested.  They get the phone of the prostitute, and the next thing you know, they know that you're communicating with the prostitute, and they're going to try to get you for online solicitation.

In California, several statutes fall under the big umbrella of internet sexual-related charges, including the following:

• Penal Code 311 PC – child pornography,
• Penal Code 288. 2 – sending harmful material to a minor,
• Penal Code 288.3 PC – contact minor to commit a felony,
• Penal Code 288.4 PC – arrange a meeting with a minor for lewd purposes,
• Penal Code 646.9 PC – cyberstalking,
• Penal Code 647(j)(4) PC – revenge porn,
• Sexting under child porn laws,
• 18 U.S.C. § 2251 – sexual exploitation of children,
• 18 U.S.C. § 2252 – federal child pornography.

Online sex crimes frequently involve surfing the internet for sexual gratification and are not a victimless activity, which is why federal and state laws criminalize certain sexual content online.

The internet is a significant source of the sex-trafficking industry, contributing to the millions of victims worldwide, many of whom are children.

The primary concern for victims is also why federal and state authorities routinely engage in sting operations using all types of social media platforms.

If you're facing accusations of online solicitation and are due to appear in a local court in LA County, it's crucial to seek legal representation without delay. Our team of California sex crime defense lawyers is here to guide you through the complex laws and proceedings.

Online Child Pornography Charges – Penal Code 311.11

Child pornography is by far the poster of an online sex crime. California Penal Code 311.11 PC makes it a crime to possess, send, transport, duplicate, or exchange child porn images or videos.

The statute's subsection(a) defines possession to include all usual and unusual forms of online activity:

• “Anyone who knowingly possesses any matter, or image, including film, photograph, slide, videotape, computer hardware, that contains any film which using a minor under 18 engaging in or simulating sexual conduct.”

California's child pornography statute criminalizes even broader conduct than virtual viewing of the material when it also reaches the material's control.

Someone who does not just view child pornography also commits a crime when they store, distribute, exchange, sell, or transmit it.

Child pornography online is not the only online sex crime that prosecutors may charge.

Most people know that federal and state detectives routinely pose unidentified in person to catch a suspect in a sex crime.

Developing an Effective Defense Strategy

I've been handling these cases for nearly 30 years, and I know how to obtain the best results for my clients.  The first thing we must do is determine whether or not we have a defense to the actual case. This could involve challenging the evidence, questioning the legality of the investigation, or proving that the communication was not intended for illegal purposes. 

That's crucial because we don't want to take an approach where we're trying to mitigate things or work out a deal if you have a complete defense to the online solicitation prosecution.

That involves us sitting down and talking about it.  I need you to be honest with me.  Please give me the straight information.   The attorney/client privilege protects everything you say to me, meaning our conversations are confidential and cannot be used against you in court. 

Just putting a spin on it that makes you look good will do you any good.  Come up with what the authorities will claim you were doing and what evidence you think they might have.

Then, I want to hear your take on it. I'm also going to need to get the other side of it—what did the police come up with in their investigation—and then we'll be really in a position to evaluate things, especially when I sit down with the prosecutor and say, "What's going on here?" 

Why is my client being prosecuted for this?  Then, I will get their twist or spin on things, what they believe, what evidence they have, and how they intend to proceed with the case.

Experienced Sex Crime Defense Lawyer

If you're seeking the best defense for an online solicitation case, you're in the right place. With decades of experience and a track record of success, including over 250 jury trials, I've handled numerous cases similar to yours. You can trust that I've navigated these legal waters before.

 I've handled thousands of cases similar to the situation you have.  In other words, I've been down this road before.  The prosecutors will need to prove that you were involved with some sex or sex act for money situation. 

They'll have to prove it was you. They won't be able to convict you if everything is consensual, the person is over 18, and no money is exchanged. That's not an online solicitation.

This can take many forms, so we must examine your situation. We can't limit ourselves by not examining every aspect of the case; otherwise, we'll be unable to evaluate it properly. 

We've got to look at your perspective, the government's perspective, and the law that applies. Obviously, we're going to utilize my 30 years of experience, and then we can start making decisions on the plan. 

Challenging the Elements of the Crime

That's the first step. What is our plan? Sometimes, our plan changes depending on the evidence these guys come up with, what the prosecutor says about the case, and what type of investigation we can do.

But there are things they have to prove.  There are certain things they're going to have to show, and the way I evaluate a lot of these cases is if the case went to a jury trial, would they be able to prove the case by way of the jury instructions, which is the law on a charge for online solicitation.

We can examine each element and determine what evidence they can present against you. Are they speculating, or do they have good evidence? That's the type of evaluation we'll need to do.

You've come to the right place if you're charged with online solicitation in LA County or any surrounding counties.  Pick up the phone.  Ask for a meeting with Ron Hedding.  I stand ready to help you. Hedding Law Firm is in Los Angeles County, and we offer a free case evaluation.